Nintendo Declined Fortnite Crossover: Why Samus Aran Won’t Appear in Epic Games’ Battle Royale
Fortnite, the globally acclaimed battle royale from Epic Games, has solidified itself as an entertainment juggernaut since its launch in 2017.
With a player base that numbers in the hundreds of millions and a cultural reach that spans Hollywood icons, superheroes, video game legends, and even major sports franchises, Fortnite has become a convergence point for pop culture.
Over the years, fans have seen an array of beloved characters—ranging from Master Chief to Ryu and Kratos—landing alongside original Fortnite creations.
However, one notable absence has caught the attention of both Nintendo enthusiasts and Fortnite players alike: the lack of Nintendo characters, specifically Samus Aran from the Metroid series, in the game’s extensive roster. A recent report by veteran games journalist Stephen Totilo has finally brought clarity to this long-standing question.
Through an exclusive interview with Donald Mustard, former Chief Creative Officer at Epic Games, it was confirmed that Epic had entered discussions with Nintendo regarding a potential Fortnite crossover featuring Samus Aran.
Mustard recounts that the negotiations reached an impasse due to a key sticking point: Nintendo was unwilling to have its iconic Metroid heroine appear on gaming platforms outside of its own.
This policy effectively blocked Samus Aran from joining the ranks of Fortnite’s multi-IP lineup, as cross-platform availability is a core feature of Epic’s battle royale experience on systems like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. While rumors regarding the potential crossover had previously surfaced during the high-profile legal proceedings between Epic Games and Apple in 2021, confirmation directly from Mustard solidifies Nintendo’s stance.
"Nintendo was not comfortable with Samus Aran being available outside of their platforms," Mustard clarified in Totilo’s report, reinforcing the company's historic approach to IP protection and platform exclusivity. Nintendo’s steadfast refusal to broadcast its characters beyond its carefully controlled ecosystem is consistent with its long-term brand strategy.
While the company has allowed some of its franchises to surface on mobile and other platforms—such as Mario Kart Tour and Pokémon GO—the Japanese giant remains highly selective.
For Nintendo Switch owners and Fortnite players alike, this means it is unlikely iconic characters like Mario, Link, or Samus Aran will make their way to the Fortnite Item Shop anytime soon. Fortnite, available on the Nintendo Switch since June 2018 via the Nintendo eShop, continues to expand its universe with frequent crossover events and new content seasons.
Epic Games’ ongoing collaborations remain a key pillar in the game’s ongoing commercial success, but Nintendo’s deliberate boundary on cross-platform representation ensures that its most treasured icons remain exclusive to its platforms. For now, fans hoping to see Samus Aran wielding weapons and battling it out on Fortnite’s ever-evolving island will have to content themselves with her enduring legacy on Nintendo hardware.
With a player base that numbers in the hundreds of millions and a cultural reach that spans Hollywood icons, superheroes, video game legends, and even major sports franchises, Fortnite has become a convergence point for pop culture.
Over the years, fans have seen an array of beloved characters—ranging from Master Chief to Ryu and Kratos—landing alongside original Fortnite creations.
However, one notable absence has caught the attention of both Nintendo enthusiasts and Fortnite players alike: the lack of Nintendo characters, specifically Samus Aran from the Metroid series, in the game’s extensive roster. A recent report by veteran games journalist Stephen Totilo has finally brought clarity to this long-standing question.
Through an exclusive interview with Donald Mustard, former Chief Creative Officer at Epic Games, it was confirmed that Epic had entered discussions with Nintendo regarding a potential Fortnite crossover featuring Samus Aran.
Mustard recounts that the negotiations reached an impasse due to a key sticking point: Nintendo was unwilling to have its iconic Metroid heroine appear on gaming platforms outside of its own.
This policy effectively blocked Samus Aran from joining the ranks of Fortnite’s multi-IP lineup, as cross-platform availability is a core feature of Epic’s battle royale experience on systems like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. While rumors regarding the potential crossover had previously surfaced during the high-profile legal proceedings between Epic Games and Apple in 2021, confirmation directly from Mustard solidifies Nintendo’s stance.
"Nintendo was not comfortable with Samus Aran being available outside of their platforms," Mustard clarified in Totilo’s report, reinforcing the company's historic approach to IP protection and platform exclusivity. Nintendo’s steadfast refusal to broadcast its characters beyond its carefully controlled ecosystem is consistent with its long-term brand strategy.
While the company has allowed some of its franchises to surface on mobile and other platforms—such as Mario Kart Tour and Pokémon GO—the Japanese giant remains highly selective.
For Nintendo Switch owners and Fortnite players alike, this means it is unlikely iconic characters like Mario, Link, or Samus Aran will make their way to the Fortnite Item Shop anytime soon. Fortnite, available on the Nintendo Switch since June 2018 via the Nintendo eShop, continues to expand its universe with frequent crossover events and new content seasons.
Epic Games’ ongoing collaborations remain a key pillar in the game’s ongoing commercial success, but Nintendo’s deliberate boundary on cross-platform representation ensures that its most treasured icons remain exclusive to its platforms. For now, fans hoping to see Samus Aran wielding weapons and battling it out on Fortnite’s ever-evolving island will have to content themselves with her enduring legacy on Nintendo hardware.
